Profar started at second base and hit ninth Monday. Profar went 0 for 2 during the game, but was able to add two RBI. He was hitting .278/.370/.438 in 144 at-bats in Triple-A. 

Rosenthal is on pace for more than 80 appearances, but manager Mike Matheny said he's not concerned about the right-hander, who has a 2.42 ERA and 13 holds.

"It’s a growing concern for all you (media) guys," Matheny said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "At times he’s felt very good and we’ve still shut him down a couple days. He’s one of the physically strongest guys we have. If we find it’s affecting him, we change course. He prepared to be a starter this year. He prepared for 200 innings. We’re not going to give him that. But we’re going to give him an opportunity to help us win. And that’s what he’s been helping us do."

"Everybody is focused on the Wacha 'clock,'" general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, referring to the nickname for big-league service time. "The clock is something that is well-documented and it’s something that we think about."

Mozeliak warned of the dangers of rushing Wacha and having to deal with Stephen Strasburg-esque issues worrying about overstressing a developing arm. Wacha, who is 4-0 with a 1.89 ERA in eight starts for Memphis, has just 68 2/3 pro innings under his belt. For perspective on how the Cardinals have handled prospects in the past who they viewed as ace material, rookie Shelby Miller tossed 383 2/3 innings in the minors before joining the Cardinals' rotation and Adam Wainwright had 793 innings in the minors (the latter split between the Cardinals and Braves organizations).

It begs the question with Danny Espinosa struggling: Are the Nationals looking for Rendon to possibly take over at second base at the major-league level? Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that's not the plan quite yet.

"We like him -- we like him a lot," Johnson said of Rendon, per FOX Sports. "But putting him at second at the major-league level, he’s not there yet. He’s not (playing second) specifically. He’s just occasionally going over there."

Johnson added reserve infielder Stephen Lombardozzi and Triple-A infielder Zach Walters are options ahead of Rendon, who is widely considered the team's best prospect, if the team made a decision to replace Espinosa in the starting lineup.

Rendon continues to rake for Harrisburg. His slash line through 30 games is .346/.654/1.136. He has two triples, six home runs, 11 doubles and 23 RBI.

Manager Jim Leyland said the move was "a no-brainer." Leyland admitted that the move would be temporary, and that Austin Jackson would remain in the spot once he returned. While he's happy with Infante's performance, Leyland doesn't think he's the ideal long-term leadoff hitter. 

"He's not an ideal leadoff guy. He doesn't walk much, but he hits pretty good." Omar can hit anywhere. Omar just comes ready to play everyday and whatever you ask him to do, he does," Leyland said.

Infante is hitting .313/.344/.444 in 144 at-bats this year. 

Beckham played shortstop in college, but has been used as a second baseman during his major-league career. The team has Alexei Ramirez at short, so there's no immediate need for Beckham to play the position. The White Sox are currently three games under .500, and could be looking to see whether Beckham can handle the position for trade purposes. Beckham is hitting .316/.333/.316 in 19 at-bats. 

Pierzynski has been sidelined since May 5 with an oblique injury. He went 1 for 6 during his two game rehab stint. Pierzynski is eligible to return Tuesday against Athletics starter Dan Straily. He's hitting .263/.297/.411 in 95 at-bats this year. 

In the second inning, Smith hit a solo shot against A's starter Josh Lindblom. Smith later added an RBI single. He also walked twice during the game. He scored three runs. Smith is hitting .285/.352/.451 in 144 at-bats this year. 

Lowrie hit two singles, and a double during the game. Though Lowrie reached three times, he did not score or drive in any runs. Lowrie's strong season continues, as he has a .298/.373/.439 slash line in 171 at-bats.